Present: Cllrs. W Banes, G Brown, K Bull, B Felton, P Sanderson and A Smith.
 County Cllr J Spicer entered the meeting at 7:45pm. Also present were 2 members of the public.

1. Apologies for absence.
Apologies received from Cllr D Ray, Borough Cllr J Hale and Police

2. Declarations of Interest.
No declarations of interest.

3. Minutes of 4th March.
Minutes were signed as a correct record.

4. Matters arising from the minutes.
Emergency Plan.
A note has been  placed in the latest Bardwell Village News. Cllr Sanderson will send a copy of the Emergency Plan to the Emergency Planning Officer. The plan highlighted that some of the contacts in the BVN need to be amended.     Action Cllr Sanderson.

Vermin.
Cllr Sanderson has received reports that there are still problems with vermin in the village. Environmental Health is to be contacted.    Action Cllr Sanderson.

Highways.
Both Clerk and Chairman have reported highways problems. Repairs have been made to the road at the corner of The Green,/Quaker Lane and Low Street.    Action Clerk.

Hedges.
The hedges, opposite the Playing Fields, cannot be cut back until August.

Modification to The Stores, Up Street.
The pedestrian pavement has been closed off due to building works on the site. It is a busy stretch of road and it is felt that a temporary footpath should be put in place. Cllr Sanderson offered to approach someone on site regarding this matter.    Action Cllr Sanderson.
Kathie is to carry out a survey regarding traffic and pavements as part of her position for the village plan group.       

Salt Bin.
The salt bin at the entrance to The Croft is still to be removed.  Action Cllr Felton.

Litter Picking.
Thanks from Gerald Brown to the 17 volunteers who participated in this years litter pick. The day was successful.

Bardwell Village News.
Mal Shepherd has provided an email address to the PC for items relevant to the BVN.

Planning Application: Quaker Lane.
It is believed that permission for the previous application would have been refused due to the lack of density. The density has not changed on the updated application.

Light Pollution.
Letter is to be drafted regarding light pollution in the village.  Action Clerk.

Tesco Bus Service.
No news has yet been received regarding Tesco’s decision to route their bus through Bardwell.

Meeting Adjourned.

5. Meeting Open to the Public.
Highways.
The patching that has been carried out on Low Street, by Highways contractors, is to a dreadful standard. The borders have not been sealed. Squares have been cut out of the road but have not been repaired. C Cllr Spicer reported that Highways complete work to the best of their ability and are not able to watch over the contractors at all times. The wet weather makes it challenging.
There are roads within the village which flood repeatedly after only a little rain. The PC have been reporting this issue to Highways for a number of years. It was agreed that a letter of complaint should be sent to Jim Nunn at Highways. The standard of the work carried out by the contractors is also to be addressed.        Action Clerk.
There are two bollards missing from the traffic island as you leave the village towards Ixworth. This is to be reported.       Action Clerk.

Speeding.
It was reported that Low Street is suffering from speeding vehicles. The Chairman reported that the PC and the Police are aware of this problem, across the village, and are currently discussing possible preventative measures which could be taken (See Below).

6. Report by County Councillor Joanna Spicer
Speed Watch.
C Cllr Spicer is currently looking at developing a partnership, with Stanton, Honington and possibly Ixworth to share the equipment. There is currently an agreement to purchase 2 laser guns for this project. C Cllr Spicer is still investigating training and insurance. The PC felt that it was important more people were trained to use the gun as too much is required for just one person.

Police: Assistant Chief Constable.
C Cllr Spicer reported that she is currently on the interviewing panel for a new Assistant Chief Constable.

Written Report by PCSO Jonathon Burke.
Pleased to announce that there have been no recorded crimes in the Bardwell ward this month.

People are still urged to consider their own home security. Heavy duty locks for sheds, garages and outside oil tanks and to register valuable property so they may be easier to recover if stolen.

There has been a trend of car break-ins in the neighbouring villages in the past few months. The majority of these have been from cars that have been left unlocked, insecure and valuable such as sat nav’s and mobile phones being left on show whilst unattended.

Meeting Reconvened

7. LDF Framework.
Cllr Sanderson felt that the information received could be summarised as five options:
1) To leave the development as it currently stands.
2) Allow urban growth.
3) The regeneration of Haverhill.
4) Concentration of development in rural areas
5) Developing approx 3000 houses on a new site adjacent to the A14.

If we do not feel that the village should be developed then the PC need to give a firm response. Sustainable transport and access needs to be considered. Cllr Sanderson agreed to amalgamate everyone’s points together for response.    Action Cllr Sanderson.

8. Report by the Chairman
Nothing to report.

9. Report by the Clerk
St Edmundsbury Council: Consult Registration.
It was agreed that the Cllrs do not currently require access. However, this can be reviewed if necessary.

Boundary Committee Meeting
Cllrs Felton and Brown are to attend the meeting.

Review of new junction at Stanton Road/The Green.
SCC advised us that the experimental prohibition of entry is due for its 6month review. The PC felt that buses turning, and eroding the outer banks, may still be an issue but this is to be confirmed.

Ixworth Discovery Day.
This is to be held between 10am and 2pm on the 12th April 2008. The purpose of the day is to bring local people together to compile information about local rights of way, businesses and events.

10. Report from BPFA
Bardwell Charity Trustees have offered some funding for improvements of the playing field. Ideas for seating or a picnic table are currently being considered.
The location of the practice cricket net was confirmed. The BPFA agreed the cricket clubs proposal, for making the playing field available for five home matches next year
Sadly the BLFA are losing two of it’s longest serving members. Andrew Green and Delyse Ray. Barbara Sanderson has agreed to take on the Treasurers task in the future.
The storage extension has been agreed.
Bryn Lewis was welcomed to the committee.
The next working party is fixed for the 12th April.
The next meeting of the BPFA will be on the 22nd May at the Pavilion. The AGM will take place at the Tythe Barn on 13th May at 7:30pm.
C Cllr J Spicer left the meeting at 8:55pm

11. Report by the Village Plan Group
There has been no response to the article placed in the latest BVN.
It is expected that the delivery of the Housing Needs Survey will be the weekend of the 31st May 2008.
A reply paid envelope will be provided. There will possibly also be a collection on 14th June. The Data analysis will take approx 4-6wks.

12. Planning Matters
SE/07/1406: Miss S Oakley: Land at Glassfield Road, Bardwell – (i) Change of use from agricultural to equine use (ii) erection of stable block (iii) retention of 1.2m post and rail fence to southern boundary.          Permission Refused.
SE/08/0041: Mr John Goodge, Greene King Pub Partners: Dun Cow Inn, Up Street, Bardwell – Erection of glazed roof canopy over patio area to facilitate outdoor dining.             Permission Granted.

TCA08/1570: Sir Christopher Walford: Booty Hall, The Green, Bardwell –
T1 – Elm – Cut level with top of hedge to form part of hedge;
T2 – Ash – Lift over garden to 4 metres;
T3 – Cherry – Crown reduce by 25%
T4 – Cherry – Prune to clear garage by 1.5 metres and balance;
T5 – Ash – Lift over highway to 5 metres;
T6 – Horse Chestnut – Crown to 3 metres;
T7 – Cherry – Reduce lateral limb over lawn by 3 metres;
T8 – Lawson Cypress – Fell.    Trees in a Conservation Area Notification.
The application in respect of the above-mentioned proposal has now been considered by the Borough Council as Local Planning Authority and no objections were raised.

13. Accounts
13.1. Clerk's Salary for March
13.2. Litter Picking for March
13.3. Suffolk County Council – Bardwell Village News
13.4. Suffolk Acre Membership Renewal 2008/2009
13.5. Ride Digital (Bardwellvillage.info) 2008/2009
13.6. Review of bank statements.
13.7. Internal auditor. Candidates are still being considered.

14. Correspondence
SCC – Ixworth Discovery Day (12/04/08)

15. Questions to the Chair
No Questions

16. Date of next meeting: Tuesday 6th May 2008 – Parish Council Annual Meeting.
      Tuesday 13th May 2008 – Annual Parish Meeting.

Meeting Closed at 9:35pm